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Targeting the self-published author

Monthly Archives: February 2015

I enjoy a new Esther Diamond book, she’s a more competent but still hilariously calamitous paranormal Stephanie Plum. In her 7th outing Esther’s career and bank account look promising as she is offered more television work as Jilly Cnote but her love life looks abysmal as the handsome but close-minded Lopez can’t see beyond the normal.

Abracadaver picks up immediately after The Misfortune Cookie with Esther, Max, Lucky, Nelli, Lopez and his new partner, Quinn, trying to wrap up the loose ends.

While Esther might not know a lot about the paranormal beings she encounters it never stops her from trying to keep her friends safe and helping Max and Nelli to the best of her ability. She might get hurt, and not only physically, but Esther never lets that stop her from doing what needs to be done.

I think this is her best book to date, fast paced, frightening in parts, snappy dialogue, and Resnick’s ability to flesh out her characters and let them evolve is excellent. It looks like Esther and friends might have a new believer or two and Esther might have a new love interest. I hope so because the one thing that is wearing a trifle too thin is Lopez’ stubborn refusal to see what’s really going on.

He’s getting to be too high maintenance and Esther deserves someone who doesn’t think she’s one French fry short of a Happy Meal. And maybe, just maybe, she’s met that someone.

Seven books in and Resnick and Esther haven’t disappointed me, they are both worth your time and your money.

One way is to say that, if you do not offend my sensibilities, I will refrain from offending yours. That approach sounds nice, and it’s popular in many quarters, but if applied in a consistent and democratic way it will lead to a tyranny of silence.

A “fellow” horror writer lambasted a dear friend and amazing woman for doing book signings while in costume and…I’m not quite sure what else. Being a woman? He said women were especially bad at trying to grab attention (“claiming” we’re horror writers when we aren’t) and most of us are hags anyway.

That’s right. Most of us are hags.

I’m sorry, but how did appearance even manage to worm its way into this conversation? This author has one book out and a second releasing soon. Yet he has the authority to decide who is really a horror writer and who isn’t? And bringing physical appearance into it is exceptionally personal. He doesn’t like the way most of us look? Next time I’ll be careful to wear a helmet while signing so I don’t offend readers…

Rachel Ann Nunes has a new attorney and is proceeding with her case against plagiarist, Tiffanie Rushton. Trials are expensive so here is the link to her GoFundMe. Help send a message that the book community will not stand for neither the plagiarism nor the attacks Rushton directed towards Nunes after she was found out. Read the timeline here.

Someone wrote an article (‘Confessions of a Failed Romance Novelist’) for the National Post on how she tried to knock out a romance novel to make lots of money. If you are a romance reader/writer, you can save time by screaming and throwing something at the wall now, rather than reading it.

Edited highlights follow. Get your bingo cards out.

Comes from a position of ignorance and contempt:

“From what I gather the [typical romance novel] plots are simple and the characters’ emotional lives not terribly complex. Also, the sex or some sex act needs to happen way before the 100 page mark,” [my agent] wrote me.

[Note to author of article: Your agent is terrible. Get a new agent.]

Does no research before writing:

I attempted to revive [romance career after publishing the book] by borrowing some Harlequins. I wanted to surprise myself; maybe I would actually like the…

A lot of bloggers/reviewers are talking about their reactions to Amy Spalding’s bingo card. It’s not a surprise that most of those reactions are negative, except to Spalding and her friends. What you all may or may not realize is that Spalding didn’t do this on her own, no, she asked for contributions.

That’s right, she asked and oh, so many were happy to contribute.

Melissa, if it’s that bad you really don’t want me to finish it, I’ll just have that much more to criticize- if I stop at page 50, that could mean the book miraculously improved after I stopped. If I read to the end, well, then the reader will definitely know if it didn’t. Think of that DNF as a reviewer’s gift to you.

Isn’t this wonderful? So many authors so grateful for reviews, wait, no, so ungrateful for the reviews they got because they weren’t the ones they wanted. Deserved maybe, but not wanted.

We could just not buy, read, or review your books. Would that make you happy? Didn’t think so.

And her friends obliged.

“I wanted this book to have a solid plot and intelligent characters, alas, the writer seems to be incapable of that.” I don’t know, I think that calls for one star. And the swearing, drinking, and sex- over or under the age of 18? Some people have a problem if those characters are underage.

Mm hmm, now just who is the idiot here? I’m going with the author calling reviewers idiots, yeah, cause doing so in public where readers can see it isn’t a jaw-droppingly bone-headed move. Not at all.

Yes, we read your little project. We are not amused but some of your friends certainly are.

So it wasn’t just Amy being struck by a bolt of creative lightning while eating her Quarter Pounder or Baconator. No, Amy collected her little McNuggets from her friends, none of them being smart enough to ask why she wanted them and then set to work. When people pointed out that reviewers weren’t amused but were offended or appalled by her inspirational (to certain authors) bingo card, Spalding showed all the sensitivity of a thick plank.

And I’m not saying you’re bad either, Amy. This is bad, and this, and this. Now do you have any inkling why we aren’t amused? Do you understand how this affects your relationship with reviewers/bloggers? Do you understand that your little bingo card isn’t making things better? Doesn’t encourage reviewers to want to read your books or those of your enthusiastic and appreciative friends and contributors?

Yes, yes, I can hear you now, protesting that you were just having fun and nothing on your card is anything like what I linked to but, Amy, all that happened in those links is on your card, all that started with an author thinking about B4 or N2 or anything else on your card or in their head.

How well do you really know the people who contributed? Do you know if they were just lightly tossing you a pet peeve or if they have 345 guns in their basement next to the freezer holding their spouse, the troublesome neighbor, and the Sunday roast? Do you know? We don’t either.

And that’s why we’re backing slowly away and crossing you off the TBR lists. We. Don’t. Know. And we aren’t willing to take the chance that you or one of your friends will decide to call us or email us (at best) or lurk in the shrubbery or bash us on the head (at worst).

I hear you deleted your tweet but why? It’s still there, retweeted by laughing authors and appalled reviewers everywhere. It’s there, you’re there, I’m there, and so is everybody and some of them are writing a book. Then we read it and the first thing we (now) have to think about is- who is this author?

Crazy quilts are unique and innovative quilts created from scraps of materials. My hope is for a world that uses all the scraps, rough cut diamonds and hidden treasures. I blog to make IPOC authors and their works more accessible.